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An online journal about visual art, the urban landscape and design. Mary Louise Schumacher, the Journal Sentinel's art and architecture critic, leads the discussion and a community of writers contribute to the dialogue.

Northwestern Mutual releases designs for office tower

Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. unveiled designs Wednesday for an understated but sophisticated lakefront building that will be the largest office tower erected downtown in 40 years.»Read Full Blog Post

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So there are positive and negative comments about the new office building. I think it is good a company is expanding, growing, and creating jobs. I think it is good they are building a new building downtown.I'm wondering for the people who are saying the negative comments about what the building will look like..did you bid to design it? Just wondering. The people that are retiring from the company have been with the company for close to 40 years, they should enjoy their life w/out work. The company has never done a huge, massive lay off like other companies have done. It is good to see a company with a strong background and the benefits they give to their employees.

It's a beautiful building, the graceful curve set back along Wisconsin Ave is a great idea. Interesting though, the Commons Building reminds me of an art museum I've been to in NYC. Boxy yet it has an interesting classiness to it, it's one of those things that are hard to describe yet you know a good thing when you see it, and this I must say is a good thing. My only criticism is that again we have to pay homage to the U.S. Bank Center. Is there some unwritten rule that states that no building in downtown Milwaukee can tower over the U.S. Bank Center? If there is, it's ridiculous. It would be nice if especially with this beautifully designed building if it could tower above the bank building and show that NML is the premier company in Milwaukee. Heck, U.S. Bank chose to move their headquarters to Minneapolis and leave Milwaukee behind, so what does Milwaukee owe U.S. Bank? And as for Kohls, well, guess they missed their opportunity. I guess they can enjoy their self-serving suburban life, I'd rather shop at Macy's anyway...

In many cities that are similar in size to Milwaukee (Minneapolis, Seattle, Columbus, Charlotte, Denver, for example), this 32 story tower would be a "filler" building, barely noticeable on the skyline.

I find it hard to believe and am highly disappointed NML didn't take this "once in a generation" opportunity to knock the 'city's tallest' crown off the head of the US Bank building, which it's worn since it was finished in 1973! The architect could have easily designed a slimmer tower with slightly smaller floor plates and a decorative crown to create a 700+ foot, 50-55 story tower that would have claimed the title of 'Milwaukee's tallest.

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